Not to wear make up for a job interview?

[TinDogTavern]

I have a job interview this afternoon. I very very rarely wear make up, just weddings and big occasions really. I usually, grudgingly, put a bit on for interviews but does anyone care/notice? As a non-make up wearer I know I wouldn’t notice if someone had make up on or not (unless they had tons on, and massive brows or something). If you were interviewing would you notice/judge? Would you always wear make up for an interview? Job is secretarial in NHS.

Wow so much internalised misogyny here. Depressing to see how women do the work of keeping themselves and other women bound by arbitrary and sexist standards.

OP, it literally won’t make any difference. Do what you’re comfortable with. Good luck with the interview!

Sorry OP, just saw your update - great!

Sorry OP, just saw your update - great!

You should not feel obliged to wear makeup. If you don't want to, don't.

Can't believe anyone is saying otherwise.

TinDogTavern good luck at the shortlisting stage!

babydreamer1 do you think men should wear a "small amount of well applied makeup" in order to make them look "bright and healthy", too?

Good for you tindog. I’ve had loads of interviews and not worn makeup but still managed to be employed.

Men don't wear make up to interviews. Don't see why women should. Never heard anyone say "she's got all the skills required but the other candidate had better eyebrows".

Whether it's make-up or tights (as per a previous thread), it wouldn't occur to me that a recruiter would give a toss either way, and neither have I when I was one conducting the interview and making the selection. Neatly and appropriately dressed, yes - it's up there with 'on time' and 'understands what the job actually is' - but 'rules' like this about what constitutes neat presentation are absolute bollocks.

The sort of company/person who would reject a candidate on the basis that they aren't wearing tights/makeup is exactly the sort of up-tight dinosaur I don't want to work for.

havent worn it in years, got jobs, made enough money not to need jobs now. So a great big 'up yours' to all those babbling about it giving a good impression. Skills not slap.

unless job is selling the stuff (which means you must wear it) I cannot see how face paint or lack of it is relevant.

I’m interviewing at the moment and it wouldn’t bother me if the candidate wore make up or not, as long as he/she can do the job.

I say this as someone who wears a full face of make up daily.

Good luck TinDog!

It would never occur to me to wear makeup at an interview, I haven't owned any since university 20-odd years ago. I've just had my second promotion in 2 years so it can't be doing my career any harm.

I haven’t worn make up for years. In that time I’ve succesfully interviewed on 3 occasions. All for professional office based jobs.

Frankly if a lack of make-up is going to mean I don’t get the job, I don’t think I want to work there!

NHS - the happy home of people who don't wear makeup. And the place where wearing perfume would be seen as unprofessional - it's banned on lots of wards.

Lots of senior women wandering about, makeup free - and yes, showing their spots too.

If anything you would be looked at askance for wearing too much.

Absolutely stick to whatever you feel comfortable with. I would never judge anyone based on their makeup choice! And on the other side of the table, would not want a job somewhere where my make up choice mattered....

Have never worn make-up for an interview and have been offered positions for 16 out of 18 interviews I have done in my life! If you don't normally wear makeup, don't bother. Stressing about it will make much more of a difference to how you present at interview that whether you're wearing it!

Oops, missed your update. Good call!

I'd wear minimal make up as pp suggested, then revert to no make up if I got job if that's your preference. Purely because its said interviewers make their decision in first 25seconds, which is barely time to shake hands & sit down, so has to be appearance based tbh. (Superficial tho it may be). I read somewhere a University study found women wearing 'natural looking' make up in a work context were perceived to be 33-35% friendlier and more efficient than women without it. Will try to find it. This stuff interests me as I find it sad its such an appearance, youth & beauty obsessed world now.

Rod off CSIblonde no one gives a fuck if an interviewer wears make up. Maybe if you work really hard, one day you'll be on an interview panel and realise how ridiculous what you've just posted actually is.

Until then, be a sister or piss off.

Gah, if an interviewee wears make up...

My partner of 20 years has never worn make up. I remember her being asked to be a bridesmaid years back, I arrived and almost burst out laughing, she looked like a cross between Toyah and BoBo the Clown

She wasn't amused, but the bride had insisted.
I find the make up thing all very conceited and rather primitive if I may say, I thought we'd evolved

I have never worn make up in my entire life. I have never been unemployed so must be doing something right. I just make sure I go to interviews with my hair looking good and dressed smartly. I honestly think if I attempted to put makeup on they would think the joker had come for a job.

It makes me so sad people judge others on something so stupid.